Automatic signal



(No Model.)

c. B. HUNTER.

AUTOMATIC SIGNAL.

No. 594,995 Patented Dem 7, 1897s A W illul IIIIHIY H/[TNESSES /A/VENTOR j( Anwmy 1H( mams varias co, Pumamuo. WASHINGTON o c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES B. HUNTER, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC SIGNAL..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 594,995, dated December '7, 1897. Application le. January l5, 1897. Serial No. 619,343. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. HUNTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Signals; and I do hereby declare the followingv to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to a novel construction in a device for giving a signal to an engineer or motornian by reason of the movement of the train, and is adapted more especially for use in connection with railway or electric cars, notifying the engineer or motorinan of the approach to bridges or viaducts, or for any other purpose.

The invention consists in the features of construction hereinafter fully described and specically claimed.

The accompanying drawing is a side elevation, partially in section, of aportion of a locomotive and track with this improvement applied thereto.

Referring now to said drawing, l indicates a hanger pivoted upon a locomotive and pro vided at its lower end with a roller 2.

The said hanger is so situated that it travels close to the side of the head of the rail of a track and in position to come into contact with a block 3, fastened upon the sleepers thereof. The upper face of said block is curved, as shown, and it is understood, of course, that the curvature may be in a circle or any inclination desired. Pivoted to the upper corners of the hanger l are two arms 4, having upwardly-facing shoulders 5 near their up per ends and a longitudinally-extending finger 6, extending beyond said shoulder. A lever 7 is pivoted upon the locomotive and is provided near one end with two slots 8 to receive the fingers 6 of the arms 4, it being noted that the shoulders 5 are situated to engage the lower faces of said lever. The other end of the lever is connected with the devices for giving the signal; but as these devices do not form a part of this invention and may be arranged as occasion or convenience may suggest I have not shown the same. As a convenient connection, however, I have shown a bell-crank lever 9, having a slotted end 10 to receive a pin on the end of the lever 7, while the other end of this bell-crank lever can be connected by means of a rod l1 or other suitable device with the devices for giving the signal. It will be seen, therefore, that should this block 3 be placed upon the track near the bridge, for instance, the engine in passing over the same will cause the roller 2 to ride over the block, and consequently turn the hanger on its pivot, which through the intermediacy of one of the arms 4 and lever 7 will operate the signal. The weight of the hanger 1 can be employed to bring it to its upright position, or the weight can be used in connection with a spring 12, connected with and bearing against the lower face of the lever 7 and against said hanger.

It is understood, of course, that when the engineer hears the signal in the cab he can by whistling notify the train-crew.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, ishan A locomotive provided with a pivoted hanger having a roller at its lower end, pivoted arms connected with the upper end of said hanger and provided with upwardlyfac ing shoulders and fingers, a pivoted lever having slots to receive said fingers and connections between said lever and devices for giving the signal.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES B. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. SWESTFAGEN, H. EUGENE WASHBURN. 

